Canon will serve in the dual roles beginning in May 2024.Cheri Canon, M.D., has been selected as the next president of the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, P.C., and chief physician executive of the UAB Health System, becoming HSF president-elect and UAB Health System CPE-elect on Jan. 1, 2024. She will formally transition into the roles on May 1, 2024, upon the retirement of current HSF President and UAB Health System CPE Tony Jones, M.D.
With a career spanning almost 30 years at UAB, Canon has served as the chair of the Department of Radiology since 2011 and holds the Witten-Stanley Endowed Chair of Radiology. She is also the chief clinical integration officer for the UAB Health System.
“It is an honor to serve as the next HSF president and UAB Health System chief physician executive, following Dr. Tony Jones and the foundation he has laid,” Canon said. “I am energized by the direction of UAB Medicine, and I look forward to my new roles and working closely with the clinical chairs, UAB Health System leadership including CEO Dawn Bulgarella and Heersink School of Medicine Dean Anupam Agarwal in this next phase of my career.”
Responsibilities of the HSF president include, among others, leading the development and implementation of the HSF’s long- and short-term strategies aligned with the strategic plans of the UAB Health System and the UAB Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine, and developing and fostering effective relationships and collaboration with HSF Clinical Department chairs, the UAB Health System, the Heersink School of Medicine, and other related leaders and entities.
Responsibilities of the chief physician executive of the UAB Health System include, among others, developing and fostering effective relationships and collaboration with leadership to develop clinical programs and strategically plan new practice opportunities aligned with the strategic plan; identifying and championing opportunities to integrate and align physicians across the UAB Health System; participating in the development of new and creative models for care delivery; and supporting the organization’s commitment to national leadership in quality, safety, value and the patient experience.
“Dr. Canon’s deep roots at UAB and her skilled and dedicated leadership make her an excellent choice for HSF president and UAB Health System CPE,” said Dawn Bulgarella, CEO of the UAB Health System. “We look forward to supporting Dr. Canon as she continues to build on the solid foundation Dr. Jones has laid and working with her to shape the future of the Heersink School of Medicine, the UAB Health System and the HSF.”
The UAB Health System includes UAB Hospital, UAB Hospital-Highlands, the University of Alabama Health Services Foundation, UAB Callahan Eye Hospital, affiliate relationships with Medical West and Baptist Health Montgomery, and management relationships with Russell Medical, J. Paul Jones, Whitfield Regional, Northwest Regional Health and Regional Medical Center of Central Alabama. The system also includes Cooper Green Mercy Health Services and the UAB Health System/Ascension St. Vincent’s Alliance.